ASTM F2300-05

This test method can be used to quantify and compare the cooling provided by different Personal Cooling Systems (PCS) worn with a standard outer garment or with a specified protective outer garment.

4.1.1 This test method will assess the performance of PCS based on the physiological measurement of core temperature, mean skin temperature, heart rate, exposure time, oxygen consumption, and whole body sweat rate.

Evaluating the effectiveness of PCS is an extremely complicated endeavor that involves many factors related to thermal exchange between the PCS, the environment, and the participant. It would not be practical in a test method of this scope to establish details sufficient to cover all contingencies. Therefore, a valid physiological method of measuring core temperature, along with other variables of thermal strain, provides an acceptable means of classifying the performance of PCS. This test method will also measure the amount of time the PCS maintains core temperature within safe limits during a specified condition of thermal stress.

Departures from the instructions in this test method may lead to significantly different test results. Technical knowledge concerning thermoregulatory responses, the theory of heat transfer, physiological and environmental temperature measurement, and testing practices is needed to evaluate which departures from the instructions given in this test method are significant. All departures must be reported with the results.

1.1 This test method covers the physiological measurement of internal body core temperature, skin temperature, thermal exposure time, heart rate response, oxygen consumption, and whole body sweat rate, to assess the effectiveness of Personal Cooling Systems in reducing the effects of thermal stress.

1.1.1 To increase safety during physiological testing, this dynamic test requires the use of human participants who exhibit specific health and physical fitness requirements.

1.2 This test incorporates the use of protective clothing ensembles (outer garments) used in conjunction with or worn over top of the PCS. This scope is therefore oriented to industrial rather than athletic applications.

1.2.1 The effectiveness of different PCS will be quantified with the same protective clothing ensemble. Therefore, the physiological values obtained apply only to the cooling systems, the particular protective outer garment, and the specific test conditions.

1.2.2 When a protective outer garment is not provided, this test method requires that PCS shall be tested with the standard outer garment defined within this test method.

1.2.3 The present standard does not attempt to determine important clothing characteristics, such as thermal insulation and evaporative resistance, of the PCS or of the garments worn with the PCS. Test Method F 1291 can be referenced for clothing measurements.

1.3 The values stated in this test method shall be SI units.

1.4 It is the responsibility of the test laboratory to obtain the necessary and appropriate approval(s) required by their institution for conducting tests using human participants.

1.5 This test method does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this test method to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.